Reindeer spread festive spirit to families in the Cotswolds

A PAIR of reindeer will be spreading the festive spirit to families throughout the Cotswolds in the run-up to Christmas.

The animals, which are called Satu and Onni, are owned by Andew Woodward and made an appearance at Fairford market last Wednesday. “It was a bit wet, but they had some shelter, so they were happy,” said Andrew.

He added the reindeer often steal the show. “They’re always very popular with families and school groups,” he said. “People from all over the country have tried to book us, but I always put the welfare of the animals first.”

Andrew bought the reindeer when they were six months old. “I tell the children they came from a man with a long, white beard and a big, fat tummy,” he said, “but although he looks like Father Christmas, he is a registered breeder in the West Midlands.”

Andrew has been running a Christmas tree plantation in Kemble for 10 years and is known locally as “the Christmas tree man”. He said buying the reindeer seemed like a natural way to extend the business.

He added more people should consider buying their Christmas tree from a local source. “We are enthusiastic about the trees, because we have grown them ourselves,” he said.

“If you buy a tree from a big store, it will already be its netting and you don’t get to see what it really looks like, but we understand the biology of the trees and we do our best to match people with one that suits their needs.”

The reindeer will be making an appearance at Cirencester Christmas Market on Sunday, December 9 between 11am and 1pm and again between 2pm and 4pm.